At Christmas, the birthplace of Jesus continues to suffer

Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem (MaanImages)

December 24, 2006

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinians in the holy city of Bethlehem believed for a moment that the Olmert-Abbas meeting on Saturday evening would result in the lifting of the siege imposed on the city and the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Bethlehem so the people could enjoy the Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

In the past, the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem used to receive over 100,000 tourists and pilgrims during the Christmas celebrations. The numbers have decreased dramatically as a result of the Israeli military occupation and the separation wall, in addition to the tension prevailing recently in the occupied Palestinians territories.

Palestinian Minister of Tourism Jouda Murqus believes that this year's celebrations are not going to bring much cheer, especially in the shadow of the occupation and closures imposed on the West Bank.

Mayor of Bethlehem Victor Batarsah said that the numbers of pilgrims are not as they were in previous years. Residents of the city also say that celebrations this year are not like in previous years. Many say the atmosphere is “sad” and the current hard times are due to the occupation.

On Sunday morning, the celebrations started in the city of Bethlehem with a parade headed by the Latin Patriarch in Palestine and Jordan, Micheal Sabbah.

It is expected that Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas will participate in the celebrations and attend the midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve, the site where it is believed that Jesus was born. The mass will be presided over by His Eminence Micheal Sabbah.

A parade of scouts also marched through the streets of Bethlehem playing drums and traditional music. Hundreds of Palestinians and tourists gathered in the main square to welcome the patriarch who is expected to arrive before noon at the Church of the Nativity.

On this occasion, Ma'an News Agency would like to extend its best wishes to the Palestinian people in the hope that next year will be better than the current one, and that peace will prevail in the region.